la paperie & cozy handmade journals

new year, new lots of things...

2012-02-02T09:37:00.005-04:00

Hello everyone! I would like to offer my sincerest apologies for being so self-sparing when it comes to blogging here lately. I'm so behind! But then again, so much as happened...

My dear Mom lost her 5½-year battle with cancer on December 30th. She was an amazing woman and we really miss her. However, she would also want us to "keep calm and carry on", which we are all endeavouring to do. I know it will take time. That being said, I am glad that I took December off and closed my shop for the month. It gave me extra time to be with Mom and the family.

Things have been busy at the shop, ever since I re-opened on Jan. 3. I've also introduced some new quote pages as well...

My personal favourite out of these has to be Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air." Beautiful poetic words! That man is so dang quotable!

Anyhow, I hope everyone is having a good year so far. Keep your chin up and make every day special! :)

Journal Give-away

2011-11-07T07:59:00.001-04:00

In honor of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), La Paperie & Cozy will be participating in a give-away starting today. Get thee to Haute Whimsy to enter to win one of my leather journals. :)

The prize journal is made with deep copper leather. It has 320 pages of white unlined 28 lb./105 gsm writing paper with handtorn edges. The book opens flat so you can write or draw all the way into the margins. The binding is stitched with Irish linen bookbinding thread, visible on the spine.

*Winner can choose to omit the opening quote page, which features an Abigail Adams quote, if they so choose.

It's easy to enter with options for multiple entries. Contest is open to USA and Canada. Contest ends November 13 at 11:59 p.m.

Autumn is here!

2011-10-22T20:57:00.000-03:00

Colourful crunchy leaves are underfoot. A faint whiff of chimney smoke drifts by in the crisp, cool air. Rosy apple-cheeked children snuggle into their coats to keep warm as they watch geese flying south overhead. It's a time for spiced apple cider and warm pumpkin pie. Warm woolen pea coats, cozy scarves and toasty mittens find their way out of storage boxes.

Yes indeed... Autumn is definitely here! Admittedly, this is my favourite time of year and I look forward to it with much anticipation. As the days grow shorter, my internal "idea bank" grow larger. This is my busiest time of year, and my brain seems to come alive with many a new concept for my shop.

This month saw La Paperie & Cozy's collaboration with talented potter/ceramist, Sandra Rosa, who hails from Setúbal, Portugal. (Be sure to check out Sandra's shop, Azulado, on Etsy... her work is beautiful and unique.) This special line of journals I am introducing to my shop will be on-going and will incorporate Sandra's lovely ceramic cylinders and buttons. They add a stunning facet to the rugged, rustic vibe of my leather journals; though beautiful, they are also very durable and strong.

I've also been adding end papers to a lot of my journals lately, in addition to quote pages. I've always felt that they add a special something to a book. I think you will agree...

Enjoy your autumn everyone! :)

►► IMPORTANT SHIPPING INFO ►►

2011-06-15T12:53:00.001-03:00

As of June 15, Canada Post has locked out its workers after unresolved talks and rotating strikes. Mail delivery has come to a completely halt, nation-wide. Therefore, no mail can be delivered or received. Unfortunately items already in transit will most likely be delayed.

Feel free to continue shopping and I will hold onto your order until the postal strike has been resolved.

If you need your journal shipped immediately, I can give you a quote via FedEx shipping. The shipping costs with FedEx will be higher, unfortunately, however its services will remain unaffected by the CanadaPost strike.

new quote journals & features

2011-06-14T10:55:00.002-03:00

Here we are in the middle of June already - summer will soon 'officially' be upon us! The month is flying by VERY quickly. So far it's remained chilly and rainy for the most part, but one cannot lose hope of a nice hot, sunny summer. While things have been busy at the bindery, it's difficult not to be distracted by singing birds, thoughts of camping trips, BBQ's with friends and family, and long days at the beach. :)

To ring in the quickly-approaching summer, I've introduced two new quote journals to my inspiring assemblage...one from Pablo Picasso and the other, Emily Brontë. In the Picasso quote journal, I used one of my favourite photos of the artist, and in the Brontë journal, I featured one of my own photographs taken at beautiful Brier Island, here in Nova Scotia. (NOTE: Remember that any journal in my shop is available as a non-quote journal, should you prefer the title page to be blank. Simply request this at check-out.)

Also, I am now offering a new customization for journals - for an additional charge of $8, you can have a pocket added to the inside back cover of any journal in my shop or custom-made journal. These pockets are handy for holding small paper ephemera such as ticket stubs, clippings, small photos, business cards, etc.

The pocket will be securely stitched (saddle stitch) to the inside back cover of your journal. If possible, the pocket's leather will coordinate with the leather used in your journal's cover. If not available in a coordinating colour, a similar or complementary colour will be chosen. The size of the pocket will depend on the size of the journal. For instance if you are purchasing a 5½" x 4¼" journal, the pocket will be sized to fit the back cover; if a larger journal is purchased the pocket will be re-sized accordingly.

See the "Add Pocket" listing in my shop for more details.

update on the postal strike...

2011-06-06T09:18:00.001-03:00

The postal strike here in Canada is a rotating strike, targeting mostly larger cities, and therefore only affects one area at a time, for 24-48 hours at the most, at this time.

So for the time being, I will carry on shipment as usual via Canada Post's service, not FedEx. If there are any delays they will only be a day or two. I may still have to reapply the FedEx shipping rates, it if the strike comes to our area. We will see. But for now, it's shipping as usual. :)

Thanks for your patience, folks!

You can keep updated on the areas the strike is affecting here at: http://www.infopost.ca/en/

Postal Strikes! YIKES!

2011-06-02T18:02:00.000-03:00

The Canadian Postal Worker’s Union is threatening to go on strike tonight at 11:59 pm EST. The reality of it actually happening is setting in now. There is a chance the strike is imminent, and there is a chance it’s not. We’ll see what pans out. Either way, I’ve put Plan “Alternative Shipping” into motion. My alternative shipping mode will be FedEx, as it is not affiliated with CanadaPost.

How does this affect you, dear customer?

If you’ve recently made an order and your package has already been sent out...
I am very sorry to say that there is a good chance that it could be delayed.

If you place an order, as of today...
Your item has a FedEx shipping rate included with it. Unfortunately it will be more expensive than previous modes of shipping.

If you live outside of the USA or Canada and wish to order a journal...
Shipping with FedEx will be ridiculously expensive, and the best thing to do would be to wait until the strike is over to place an order, or place your order and I will hold it until the strike is over and ship it to you at that time.

Also, for the time being, I am temporarily un-listing my cameos and greeting cards in my shop, since they are small items and the cost to ship them via FedEx is just too ridiculous.

Custom journals will still be accepted. I can either wait to ship them out as soon as the coast is clear, or ship them via FedEx. The choice is yours.

Thank you all so very much for your patience! Hopefully this will all blow over soon!

Busy bee

2011-05-04T14:33:00.002-03:00

Spring is finally here, after a long winter. It’s a joy to see the flowers blooming, hear the birds singing and the bees buzzing.

Things have been very busy at La Paperie & Cozy, and not only binding has been going on. I have recently listed a few other things in my shop, including necklace pendants and wallets. A little odd for a bookbinding shop, you may say, but let’s just say these little ditties put the “cozy” in La Paperie & Cozy. ;)

Here are the cameo pendants currently listed in my shop. After making some for myself, and giving some as gifts, I was left with a few more. So they are in my shop until they’re all gone.

I’m also offering hand-stitched leather wallets in my shop. An on-going quandary for me has been what to do with all my leather remnants…because I have plenty! There are some pieces that are just too large to throw away, and too small to make into books. So my first bi-fold wallet was born yesterday, quickly followed by its brother! The two of them actually took me a full day to make. So they are labour intensive, as each one is completely hand-stitched and the holes hand-punched, but I love being able to use up my leather pieces! Waste not, want not. I'll probably be listing a couple on my shop soon. I will only be using my really good sturdy leather remnants. I probably won't offer wallets often, or make them customizable (what-I-list-is-what-you-get kind of thing) since they aren't my shop's main feature, but I can offer free monogramming with every wallet.

You can see more photos of the wallets, here.

And yes, there has been a lot of binding going on too! :) I’ve added a few new styles and quotes to my journals. Be sure to check them out in my shop.

Martha Stewart Weddings

2011-03-16T15:12:00.022-03:00

Well, my copy of the spring Martha Stewart Weddings magazine arrived the other day from the editorial department. Excitement! :)

My guestbook is on page 276 (bottom left corner), on the first of the page photos below. The book is open on a small table with flowers and a quill pen - what a gorgeous set up they had!

It was so neat to be a part of this lovely wedding. I love how rustic 'country lodge' it was. I've included some other photos in the magazine article on the wedding. I wish the happy couple all the best! :)

Click the photos for a larger view...

Fabulous Finds Give-Away - Win a Red Guestbook!

2011-02-12T14:33:00.003-04:00

My dear friend Melody over at Aria Images Photography is hosting a "Fabulous Finds Give-Away" on her blog, featuring one of my handmade guestbooks. See her blog for details and enter to win this pretty red blank book. It would make a great little wedding guestbook, sketchbook or journal! The give-away is open to everyone within Canada and the USA.

Small Red Guestbook ($55 value)
This lovely little red guestbook is made with a beautiful cherry top-grain cowhide leather. A pretty red satin ribbon, strung through two slits in the back of the book, keeps the book securely closed. The book measures approximately 5.5″ wide x 4.25″ high and is over 1″ thick. It opens flat so you can write or draw all the way into the margins. The binding has been hand-stitched with durable natural beeswaxed Irish linen thread. The book boasts 320 pages (counting front & back) of high quality white unlined 28 lb./105 gsm writing paper with handtorn edges – it’s acid free, archival, and 3rd party certified to the standards of the Forest Stewardship Council. The end papers are made with beautiful pale green patterned paper, handmade in India.

CLICK HERE TO READ DETAILS AND ENTER THE DRAW!

While you're at the Aria Images Photography blog, please check out Mel's amazing photography - she is an amazingly talented photographer and wonderful person to work with!

IMPORTANT NOTE TO MY CUSTOMERS

2011-01-18T20:33:00.003-04:00

I will not be accepting any custom orders until Feb. 14th, as I will be recovering from major surgery. However, engraving will still be available for any journal purchased from my shop. Also, any books that are purchased between Jan. 21-30, 2011 will ship on Monday, Jan. 31. Thank you for your patience and understanding! :)

Hello 2011!

2011-01-18T20:27:00.008-04:00

After an enjoyable little winter respite (Dec. 11-Jan.2), La Paperie & Cozy re-opened for business on Monday, Jan. 3, 2011. Where has the time gone? We are already well into January already! Things have been busy. Needless to say, my little 'helpers' -- the cats -- have been far from helpful. Instead they were insanely cute and very distracting (on purpose).

While I attempted to relax during the respite, bookbinding factored into a lot of that relaxation. :) Actually those of you who know me well, know that I have a difficult time relaxing without anything to do with books, in general. What can I say? I really love what I do! Many have said that this comes across in my handmade books. That makes me very happy, considering a lot of TLC goes into each and every journal, sketchbook or guestbook that I create. Each book is an expression of my love of journaling, literature, and books in general - and I cherish the idea that a journal I create will soon become home for someone's thoughts and musings. It's a wonderful thing!

During the break I had some time to create a few new books. I also introduced two beautiful quotes to my quoted journal line, which just both happen to be from author, Anaïs Nin. I have always loved these quotes and wanted to share them in my journals...

Also another lovely big Book of Memories - the largest book I make at 9"x12". This would make a perfect wedding guestbook/album, sketchbook, baby book, family tree book, or a place to store those special recipes. This style of book will be featured in Martha Stewart Weddings magazine which will hit stands on Feb. 28th.

Thank you, Martha :)

2010-12-16T10:49:00.003-04:00

Good news! I received notification that my large 'Book of Memories' wedding guestbook will be in the Spring issue of Martha Stewart Weddings magazine - out on Feb. 28th! I'm so excited to see it! :)

At 9" high and 12" wide, the Book of Memories is the largest book that I make. There are 264 handtorn pages (front & back) of off-white 50lb. drawing paper. The binding is hand-stitched, as all my books are, in a medieval style binding - it's very sturdy and allows the book to open flat. As for the leather, while I generally make my journals in earth tones, which I feel best expresses the 'tone' of my work, the guestbook that was requested for the wedding featured in the magazine was in black pebble-grain. This was to match the colour scheme of the wedding.

I've never read one of Martha's wedding magazines before, but I will be sent a copy that my guestbook is featured in. I'm really looking forward to seeing it!

Someone suggested I start working on a bunch of the guestbooks, due to the fact that demand will definitely rise once this magazine hits the stands. (Seeing as I don't have another one yet in stock, I guess I better get crackin'!)

new quote edition journals

2010-11-21T11:04:00.005-04:00

I'm afraid I've been a bit remiss in posting lately. My apologies! Health problems and other important duties have prevented any updates of late. In the meantime, I've been busy binding. I've also added a few new quote journals to inspire...

One of my new quote journals features an excerpt from a favourite Wordsworth poem, Tintern Abbey (1798) coupled with a print of one of my original photographs of a sunset taken here on the Atlantic coast of beautiful in Nova Scotia, Canada. Perfect for the nature lover!

And I have felt a presence that disturbs me
With the joy of elevated thoughts; a sense sublime
Of something far more deeply interfused,
Whose dwelling is the light of setting suns,
And the round ocean and the living air...

- excerpt from Tintern Abbey (1798), William Wordsworth

I've also resurrected an old favourite - an excerpt from Alfred Lord Tennyson's The Lady of Shalott (1833), featuring a print of John Williams Waterhouse's Lady of Shalott painted in 1888.

And down the river's dim expanse
Like some bold seer in a trance,
Seeing all his own mischance --
With a glassy countenance
Did she look to Camelot.
And at the closing of the day
She loosed the chain, and down she lay;
The broad stream bore her far away,
The Lady of Shalott.

Lying, robed in snowy white
That loosely flew to left and right --
The leaves upon her falling light --
Thro' the noises of the night,
She floated down to Camelot:
And as the boat-head wound along
The willowy hills and fields among,
They heard her singing her last song,
The Lady of Shalott.

- excerpt from The Lady of Shalott, Alfred Lord Tennyson (1809-1892)

My Friend's "100th Post Giveaway"

2010-11-08T23:22:00.000-04:00

My good friend Arlene over at My Casa Bella is hosting a giveaway to celebrate her 100th blog post.

Enter the giveaway here on her blog!

Autumn Challenge Winner! :)

2010-10-07T18:38:00.000-03:00

Thanks to all of you who participated and voted, my handbound journal won the Autumn Memories Challenge hosted by the Trans-Canada Etsy Team! YAY! You can see all of the lovely entries here.

The Trans-Canada Etsy Team envisions an online, global market where Canadian artisans are successful, respected, and competitive. Their aim to support each other by establishing professional relationships, sharing knowledge and participating in collective marketing opportunities. Visit the TransCanada Etsy shop for unique handcrafted items.

Autumn Memories Challenge

2010-10-01T22:21:00.007-03:00

Fall is in the air! And the TransCanada Etsy Team members have created special items to reflect the challenge theme: "Autumn Memories."

My entry is the Autumn Memories leather handbound journal, which is freehand-engraved with an oak leaf, using a burning tool. The journal currently for sale in my Etsy shop. Stop by the TransCanada Etsy Team Blog and cast a vote for me, if you think it's the best out of the bunch.

A special place to squirrel away all your autumn memories! Autumn is my favourite time of year and of course it deserved its own journal. The leather is a beautiful antiqued buttery tan, with a wrap around flap. I've hand-engraved an oak leaf with a burning too, on the cover. A brown cord wraps around the journal, keeping the book securely closed.

This journal measures approx. 5½" x 4¼" and 1½" thick.

It boasts 320-pages (both sides) of good quality white unlined 28 lb./105 gsm writing paper with handtorn edges - it's acid free, archival, and 3rd party certified to the standards of the Forest Stewardship Council (high quality paper with a conscience!). The journal opens flat so you can write all the way into the margins. The page sections have been hand-stitched to the leather cover with beeswaxed Irish linen thread, which is visible on the spine - it's a very sturdy and attractive binding.

Come and vote for your favourite item. (Voting will continue for one week, closing on Oct 7th.)

blogged

2010-07-22T09:06:00.000-03:00

I always love it when customers write to let me know about their reactions to their journals, when they arrive, and what they are going to be using their books for. It is a real treat! I love what I do, and being able to share "handbound love" with others, and see the joy it brings, really makes my day.

One of my customers, Rosina, was kind enough to write about my books on her lovely blog Rosy~Posy.

The entry is here: http://rosinahuber.blogspot.com/2010/07/handbound-love.html

new journals

2010-07-01T14:07:00.001-03:00

For the shop....

Some new custom books for my clients....

Voila...

2010-06-20T23:48:00.005-03:00

I've just finished designing my new "link to" banner for my Etsy shop. (And oui, my favorite artist is Rene Magritte, besides M.C. Escher, if you haven't already guessed. heh!)

So if you would like to link to my shop, please use this image. Do not link directly to it, but save it to your own computer. Thanks so much! :)

I will be putting it permanently on my sidebar --->

new quotes

2010-06-05T16:38:00.003-03:00

I've been busy adding a few new journals to my literary quote series.

I apologize for the blurriness of some of this pics. If you click on them you can see a larger more clearer version. Here are a few more 'quoted journals' that I've added to my shop...

Noticing that I didn't have any travel-related quote journals, I thought I would add two new quotes - and personal favourites of mine - that would inspire the traveler in us all.

Martha, Martha, Martha!

2010-05-26T17:59:00.002-03:00

All of my custom orders are special to me.

But I have to admit that I was especially excited when I recently received a custom order from none other than the Martha Stewart Wedding Magazine in New York! *gasp!*

They ordered one of my 9"x12" Book of Memories in black leather. It shipped today.

The editorial coordinator (the one who I'm in contact with) said the article will most likely run some time next year. She will keep me posted and will be sending me a magazine when it comes out! How thrilling!

front page

2010-05-24T14:40:00.004-03:00

I'm sorry I've been a bit remiss with my posting lately. It's been rather hectic so it's difficult to keep on top of 'virtual' things when I'm busy with the tangible. I can't complain though. I must say I enjoy 'busy'.

And a little hooray today, as my handbound William Blake leather journal with mother-of-pearl shell closure made it to the first page of Etsy this afternoon. I was with good company, as it was a lovely collection. :) I especially *heart* those eco-chic ballet flats!

Giveaway

2010-04-19T19:04:00.001-03:00

My friend Tasi is featuring a giveaway at her lovely shop, TasiFashion.
To enter it go to What's Up Paper Cup! Giveaway ends April 30th.

I heart Craft Cult

2010-03-17T02:09:00.001-03:00

Sometimes it's difficult to keep up with Etsy features. For example...how do you know if you've been featured in Etsy's Storque or a gift guide, or if you even made it to the front page. If you're not on Etsy 24/7, it is easy to miss.

That's why I'm loving Craft Cult...it's truly brilliant and such a helpful tool for us sellers on Etsy. Simply plug in your shop name and it tracks your hearts, and any time you are featured, amongst other things.

For instance, my scarlet deer suede "Shakespeare in Love" journal was recently featured in the Storque. I missed it, of course. But upon searching Craft Cult, there it was!

Use it...you'll LOVE it!

"What greater gift than the love of a cat." -Charles Dickens.

2010-03-10T17:27:00.004-04:00

Those of you who know me well, know all too well that I'm always eager to discuss the colourful antics and personalities of my three indoor cats: Libby, Bebe, and Pookey. And when I read the recent post over at the rik rak studio, all about our feline friends, I was more than happy to contribute a blog post about my girls.

Without further ado, let me introduce you to my "little helpers"...

I’m Libby, a spayed female tortoise-shell/tabby mix (what they call "torbie"). I’m smarter than you. And your brother. I kill plants, and my paws smell like popcorn. I’m a street-wise world traveler extraordinaire. I’m small for my age, but I’ve been told that good things come in small packages, and I am of the same opinion. I’ve lived in Calgary, Alberta (where Mom adopted me at the SPCA in March 2001 when I was a year old) and The Netherlands (that crazy little country in Europe), and now I’m in Nova Scotia…fickle humans! I understand Dutch, especially the food-related words. I make my humans call me for supper via a very quaint Dutch nursery rhyme for cats. I can carry a conversation if I have to, but I prefer to chirp like a deranged pigeon to amuse my humans. Besides plotting to take over the world, and grooming myself meticulously, I like slapping Baby around, curling up into my “kitty lotus” position for a good nap, and hunting bugs. I love sleeping under the covers with my humans at night, and can even weather “Dutch ovens” with grace. I need to be in the middle of everything, because I am the center of your universe. I can get just about anything I want by lying on my back with my paws folded like a stupid canine (I’ve learned it makes my humans go “awww” and hand over the goods). I am very neat, precise, and elegant — yet I can adjust to just about any situation I find myself in. I have an innate need to sleep in odd places, and the top of the closet is “my zone”, meaning it is off bounds to everyone, including my annoying little sister Baby (excluding for myself, of course, hahah). I can tell if you don’t like cats. Also, I am your worst nightmare. PHOBIAS: That horrid stuff called H20. The sound of plastic bags. Being replaced. NICKNAMES: Lib. Wibby. Libbo. Libster.

Hi, my name’s Bebe…but you can call me Bebe. (I also answer to “Mooo!” for reasons you’ll find out later.) I’m a one-year-old spayed Calico female. My IQ is, in all probability, equivalent to a turnip, but I make up for it in being awfully cute and genteel-like. I have a lot of junk in my trunk, and yet I eat the least of us three, and am always wandering (my folks call me "the wanderer"). I’m a klutz. When we were fed dry food, I liked to push and chase my dry food around the dining room, before I ate it. I have a pink jiggly belly which could pass for an udder — I’m rather shameless about it, and will show it to just about anyone. My humans make fun of it, jiggle it with their hands, and call me a cow. Hobbies include: making grunting noises, running into door frames and table legs, falling off windowsills, hanging out around the bathtub trying to look cool, carrying assorted items around in my mouth while trying to meow (especially facecloths and towels) and laying them artistically throughout the house, picking futile fights with Libby when I’m bored, and stretching against walls. My humans say my purr resembles the trademark rumble of a Harley Davidson. I don’t fancy being picked up, but I like to cozy up in the bathroom with my humans, especially when they can’t chase me and are incapacitated on the toilet. When I sleep - which is rare - I look like I’m in "hog heaven". I have an affinity for H20; if you sprinkle it on me gently, it makes me happy. Just don’t dunk me - I will scratch. I'm *obsessed* with the bathroom and sleep there most days. I spent most of my early months in a cage at the shelter, so that at least gives me a good excuse for my ‘spare tire’ and lack of co-ordination. My humans brought me home from the SHAID Tree on Jan. 26, 2006 (I was so scared on the way home, I peed myself in their cat carry-on. Oh my cow, how embarrassing.) I can't help it - I'm jealous of Mommy's favorite, Pookey... so I slap her around a lot.PHOBIAS: Losing favor with alpha cat Libby. The vacuum. The sound of feet walking towards me, and any other sound. NICKNAMES: Babes. Bibi. BayBay.

Oh hai! I'm Pookey Kiwi - "Pookey" is what my humans call me, and it seems to suit me well for some odd reason. I'm a sweet, gentle, and spunky little seal-point Siamese girl, brought home from my Tatamagouche breeder on Nov. 25, 2006 (they say I was born Sept. 1st but I have no recollection to confirm that date). I'm not a big girl...no doubt the runt of the litter, and am used to being pushed around by my two big sisters; although Libby treats me like a mommy cat most days and lets me snuggle up to her when I sleep. Baby is jealous of me! I'm timid and shy, but very loving. I'm as gentle as can be, and have never used my claws or teeth against my humans. Oddly enough my nose is always cold and wet, and I love to shock my folks by sniffing them with it. Although my first two days at my new home were spent avoiding all contact while hiding under bed linen, I now can't seem to get enough of being around my humans and sister cats. I'm still nervous of other people besides Mom and Dad, and have been dubbed the "phantom cat", as others seem to doubt my existence (I'm always hiding under the couch when visitors drop in). Baby and I like to play a lot - but she gets jealous of me easily! Libby will take care of me when I'm sleepy, and we often nap together. Pasttimes include eating like a pig, impromptu belly rubs, hunting socks, rubbing against feet, cuddling and "nose-kissing" my humans, sleeping on laps, and dropping my favorite toys in the water bowl. I am skilled at playing fetch with paper balls and twist ties, and I love sleeping on Mom's lap. I'm also quite the avid conversationalist.PHOBIAS: Phobias? Everyone and anything other than Mommy! Dad's big feet. Sudden movements of any kind. NICKNAMES: De Pook. Pooko. Little Thing. Pook-Pook. Pook. Pookster. KreukPook.

We like to help mom, as much as we can....

We wake up at the crack of dawn to help her get an early start

We help fold the paper...

Work on the website...

And organize the books when they're all finished...

We've put our heads together often enough, to brainstorm business stratagem...

We even help her with her knitting, now and then...

Tea or coffee, Mom?

See? We do quite a bit. What would you do without us, Mommy?

Happy World Book Day!

2010-03-04T09:53:00.033-04:00

Somehow it's March. March! It just crept up on me, instead of marching in. Spring is supposed to be just around the corner; but just as our snow had melted, we have a new fresh fall today.

And today also happens to be World Book Day (in the UK, that is) and I thought why not celebrate it today, and again when Canada celebrates it in April? A celebration of books and the beautiful gift of reading deserves more than one day, after all!

Do you have a favorite treasured book? One that you keep going back to, like comfort food? I'd have to say that mine would be this old worn copy of Anne of Green Gables. It is from the early 1930's; I remember purchasing it at a quaint used bookstore as a teenager. It's in pretty rough shape, I still love reading from it. I can almost imagine Anne herself with a book like this one. It has always reminded me of my love of cuddling up in bed as a little girl and reading of the Anne-girl's adventures. :)

It seems appropriate that I should now find myself making books of my own. I wouldn't want it any other way! It’s been busy inside the house, though, despite the blustery weather. I have been busy binding and I thought I’d share some books that I've recently finished...

Cheshire Cat Journal To celebrate the release of the new adaptation of Alice in Wonderland, I thought I would create a Cheshire Cat-themed journal. This special edition journal is made with velvety dark brown sheepskin suede with smooth leather grain inside. The suede cover is embellished with hand-drawn black stripes in permanent ink – I think the Cheshire Cat would give his wide smile of approval! The above quote captions a colourful illustration by Sir John Tenniel, 19th century English illustrator and one of the original illustrators for Lewis Carroll's beloved Alice In Wonderland.

Candy Apple Red with Mother-of-Pearl shell shard
A la paperie & cozy original! I wanted to incorporate the delicacy of the organic shell with the rugged beauty of leather, and this unique design I've come up with is the result. The leather is a delicious "candy apple" red cowhide - truly mouth-watering - with a semi-glossy finish. It has a wrap around flap. The book is kept securely closed with a lovely natural coloured mother-of-pearl shell peg (securely sewn through holes in the peg), tucked into a leather loop on the cover flap — a truly beautiful, yet sturdy, closure that is really eye-catching!

Wordsworth in olive I can almost imagine Wordsworth himself writing in a journal much like this one. The first page of the journal has a portrait of the William Wordsworth himself, captioned with the above quote. The leather cover is made with a dark olive cowhide (the colour calls to mind roasted artichoke), with the raw edge of the hide on the cover. The cover of the journal is kept closed with a handy elastic and button closure, with a black elastic that catches on to a funky olive button in the front.

And the winner is...

2010-02-25T10:35:00.007-04:00

Thank you everyone for participating! We had 27 entries in the draw. The results of the draw can be seen on the following little video. I put all the entries in a bowl and - like last time - I thought I would do the draw for the winner on camera. And the winner is...... *drumroll*

GIVEAWAY DRAW: Jane Austen Notecard Set

2010-02-17T21:22:00.011-04:00

Welcome to my new blog! *

I had so much fun holding the giveaway in January ...so I decided to do another one! This time you can win a set of my Jane Austen notecards. I think you'll find this notecard series “uniformly charming". (hehe!) This 4-card set features Jane Austen quotes paired with sepia prints. Three of the prints are of my original drawings; so you get original art prints plus functional greeting cards, all in one! Cards are blank inside. Cards/envelopes measure 4½” x 5¾“ and are non-glossy. They come prettily packaged with raffia, packed along with cardboard backing to prevent bending during shipment. Ready to use or give. (MSRP $14)

The quotes include…
♥ “You must allow me to tell you…” (featuring Lizzy and Darcy, a sepia print of my original drawing)
♥ “There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.” -Jane Austen (featuring 'Tea Time', a sepia print of my original drawing)
♥ “I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of anything than of a book! When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.” -Elizabeth Bennett, Pride & Prejudice (featuring 'Lizzy', a sepia print of my original drawing)
♥ "The grounds there are delightful" (a sepia image of a great estate used as Pemberley in the P&P film)

TO BE ENTERED INTO THE DRAW, HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO...

1. Leave a comment on this entry telling me your favorite Jane Austen novel (not movie!). Make sure you leave your name and email address, so I can contact you if you win the draw.
2. Fan my page on Facebook
3. Follow me on Networked Blogs (scroll down the right sidebar and you'll see the button "Follow this Blog")

Deadline for entries ends after Wednesday, Feb. 24 -- so any entries dated Feb. 25 will not be included in the draw. The draw will be made Thursday, Jan. 25 and the winner announced here and on Facebook. Have fun!

* Comments from my Previous Blog will be counted in the draw! :)

For some reason Blogspot wouldn't allow me to import the comments here,

and still allow new comments to be added. So new comments can be added here.

journals + quotes - how did it all begin?

2010-02-12T06:30:00.001-04:00

Things have been hopping here at the bindery. New leathers are arriving all the time, and I've been thinking of new quotes - ones I have loved for years - and adding them to my ever-growing list of quotes available for my leather bound journals. I enjoy this so much!

Some of you have asked how I began making my journals. As some of you know, I started off on Etsy selling handmade cold-process soap. While I loved the end product, I never really enjoyed the actual soap-making process very much (too much like baking, which I don't enjoy either). While I still make soap from time to time, for personal use, I no longer make it to sell. For me, the entire experience didn't allow me to express myself creatively enough. And to me, creativity is very important.

I was inherently creative as a kid. Not particularly special in any way, but always seeking to 'create' something. As the strong silent type preferring to be alone in my room, I was always preoccupied with making things on my own - usually little books with drawings, paintings, and story boards. While I have always loved drawing and painting, my ‘first love’ has always been books. It started at an early age. After reading Anne Frank's The Diary of a Young Girl at the age of 10, I started keeping journals, which I've done every year of my life, ever since. I remember collecting and obsessing over journals as a young girl. And guess what? I’ve never quite grown out of that obsession! In order to 'feed' my habit, I taught myself bookbinding back in early 2007. After many months of my nose 'in the books' in my quest for the 'perfect' journal, I took the plunge and decided to delve into the world of book arts. In late 2007, with the support of my dear husband, I quit my day job at a local newspaper (due to health issues), and started my little online shop, which I run from home, La Paperie & Cozy.

While there were many talented bookbinders online, I noticed that no one -at the time- was offering books with quotes on the first page. As a book lover (especially of the classics), I've always thought it would be special to add a quote from literary greats, artists, poets, and excerpts from favorite classic novels -- my way of paying homage to such a wonderful world of inspiration. And voila...my quoted journals were born. :) I can almost imagine literary greats of centuries past, writing in handmade journals like these... Jane Austen writing notes as she walked in the pretty wilderness behind her house, annotating her next great work, Pride and Prejudice. Or a young Charles Dickens reminding himself in his journal to incorporate the comic villainy of Mr. Jingle in his first novel, The Pickwick Papers. Inspired by these literary masterminds, the majority of my journals' first pages pay homage to these outstanding writers and some of their best quotes! I will sometimes incorporate prints of my own original drawings and photos in a journal, to go along with certain quotes.

Every book I create is very special to me - so it is a personal experience. I spend a lot of time selecting beautiful leathers, creating original style combinations to make each journal "haute couture" -- a journal that you can't find anywhere else. I also enjoy choosing which quote to integrate into the journal’s collective “theme” because, ultimately, that literary figure will affect the overall design of the journal. To give an example, I will often pair a rugged distressed looking leather with a quote from Twain or Poe or Dickens, or a more refined camel or burgundy for Jane Austen or Charlotte Bronte quote. I enjoy imagining what kind of journal they may have written in and, in turn, try to apply that to the books I make. I also love custom orders, which often times encourage me to come up with something entirely different…thus, thinking outside of the box.

See more at my shop: http://lapaperie.etsy.com

getting your needles all in a row

2010-01-20T07:07:00.000-04:00

I just can't rave enough about my newest purchase on Etsy -- Sarah Kincheloe's Knitting Needle Organizer. Being relatively new to knitting, I was coming to realize what a chore it was to hunt down and keep track of all my knitting needles, and keep them organized in one spot. This needle organizer was exactly what I needed! And not only is it super handy and sturdily made, but it's also very easy on the eyes (look at this awesome fabric)!

At Sarah's etsy shop, you can get a variety of knitting needle organizers, crochet hook rolls, and knitting accessories. They're all made in the most gorgeous fabrics. Who would have thought something so simple, could be so satisfying! Thank you for such a great product, Sarah. I'm a very happy ~~camper~~ knitter!

more leather journals

2010-01-19T07:37:00.000-04:00

I've been busy increasing the shop's inventory, since the holidays depleted most of my stock. It's taking a while but it's getting there. January has already seen quite a few snow days, which are perfect for getting caught up!

Folks have asked me how long it takes to make one journal. To be honest, I've never really made just one journal at a time. I cut enough leather for about 6-10 journals, hand tear enough paper for them, and then prep them all for binding (punching holes in the leather, piercing the paper, getting out the thread). Only then do I sit and bind them, one after the other. It may not be how a lot of binders work, but it's a process that I find works perfectly for me. So why mess with a good thing? ;)

I'm really loving the new lightbox hubby made me, as it takes a lot of time off of editing photos. Before I would really have to adjust the brightness and contrast, and now, little if anything needs to be done. lighting is concerned. Here are a few new journals I made yesterday, with photos taken in the lightbox.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you
didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover." — Mark Twain

"Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether
that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show."
—David Copperfield (1850), Charles Dickens

"For my part I know nothing with any certainty,
but the sight of the stars makes me dream." ―Vincent Van Gogh

“To see a world in a grain of sand and heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palms of your hand, and eternity in an hour.”
— Auguries of Innocence (1863), William Blake

Putting the "cozy" back into La Paperie & Cozy

2010-01-11T09:21:00.004-04:00

I am by no means a skilled knitter and have a difficult time following patterns. So my cowardice in following other people's patterns has enabled me to avoid anything I can't do, by coming up with my own pattern for these little cozies.

When I'm not binding journals, I like to keep my hands busy. So I've embarked on a little side venture of knitting simple ballet-flat style slippers.

They are just simple and basic, but also cute, practical and oh-so cozy and warm! I am thinking of offering them on my Etsy shop sometime soon, in various sizes and colors (and perhaps even some felted pairs), so keep your eyes peeled! I'm thinking of calling them "Les Cozy Toezies" - a terrific suggestion by my buddy, Scott Smith, along with a collaborative effort of other friends! I don't even know how much time I'm going to have, to make pairs for my shop, but we'll see. I'll probably only be able to list a pair or two, once in a blue moon. LOL!

The ribbon incorporated into the slipper is not only pretty but handy, as you can cinch the ribbon for a tighter fit around your foot. And voila! Pretty yet practical footwear for around the house!

This entry has been submitted to Make Your Monday over at The Twice Remembered Cottage. Take a look and submit your own crafty creations!

Lightbox! Yay!

2010-01-09T11:57:00.000-04:00

Here's the wooden lightbox that hubby built for me. I need to get brighter daylight bulbs for the lamps, but I see a marked improvement in photos already. Niiiice! :) I love having a handy hubby!

And the winner is...

2010-01-07T08:18:00.002-04:00

I put all the entries in a bowl and I thought I would do the draw for the winner on camera. :)
And the winner is...... *drumroll*

Thanks to everyone for participating!

Grand Re-opening Giveaway Draw - Win a Mini Journal!

2010-01-03T20:55:00.000-04:00

La Paperie & Cozy has dusted off the snow and is opening its "doors" today, after a short break. To celebrate the grand re-opening, I'm holding a giveaway draw for an adorable red mini journal. This little cutie measures approximately 3"x3" and is 1¼" thick, and has 280 pages (counting front & back) of 50lb. sketch paper.

To enter the draw, here is what you have to do...

1.) Leave a comment on this entry.
2.) Choose a favorite item in my shop and why you like it, in your comment.
3.) Make sure you leave your name and email address, so I can contact you if you win the journal. I will email you for your mailing address and send your cute mini journal on its way to you!

The deadline for entries ends after Wednesday, Jan. 6. The draw will be made Thursday, Jan. 7th and the winner announced here. Have fun!

Shop is closed for a brief respite

2009-12-09T20:10:00.000-04:00

It will re-open Jan. 4, 2010 with new stock.

Thank you for making 2009 a wonderful year! See you in 2010! ♥

Keep an eye open for a "Grand Reopening Giveaway" Draw for a mini-leather journal!

My journal won the Autumn Challenge!

2009-10-01T05:37:00.000-03:00

Yes, my book won the first ever monthly challenge, over at Trans-Canada Etsy Team, receiving 104 votes out of 237 total votes! Yay! Thanks so much to all of you who placed your votes. Kudos also goes to those talented Canadian artisans who participated. Good show!

Autumn Challenge

2009-09-25T07:37:00.000-03:00

Apple cider, autumn camping trips, bonfires, beautifully coloured trees, crisp breezes and chilly evenings ...yes, it's AUTUMN! The Trans-Canada Etsy Team is featuring an Autumn Challenge for it's members...to create something that fits in with the theme of autumn.

Visit the blog to vote for your favorite submissions! :)

For my entry, I submitted a journal hand-engraved with an oak leaf; it has 320 pages of beautiful treeless banana paper. It's now listed on my Etsy shop.

Ten random things about me...

2009-09-10T17:48:00.000-03:00

I was tagged by Sharon at Secret Leaves Paperworks to share 10 random facts about myself. Here we go:

1. The effervescent smell of spit in the air after someone sneezes makes me want to hurl.

2. I refuse to walk barefoot on floors, no matter how clean they are, as I hate the idea of getting anything on my feet.

3. I'm not a big fan of chocolate.

4. I cringe at needles going into skin, and yet could watch a corpse being dissected without wincing.

5. I’m *extremely* introverted (even though I fool most people that I meet).

6. I loathe talking on the phone – if it rings I usually hope hubby will get it or let it go to voicemail.

7. I correct other people’s grammar in their emails before replying to them. (Only for my peace of mind.) Yup. I’m anal-retentive about almost everything.

8. I spent most of my childhood up in a tree with my nose in a book.

9. I am addicted to lists, hubby’s kisses, books, plain steamed rice, cat's paws, and really good tea.

10. I talk to my cats far too much.

I won’t tag anyone, but feel free to join in the fun!

hello, greeting cards

2009-08-31T07:33:00.000-03:00

I dusted off a small ambition last week. Drawing. It’s been a while since I indulged in it. In fact, it is something I allow to rusticate until it awakens, with a start. And then I just have to indulge it.

A few simple sketches...two of the Jane Austen persuasion, and one of a another favorite…tea. I decided to put them on some greeting cards that I am now offering in my Etsy shop.

INTERVIEW: PhotograBee

2009-08-23T14:48:00.000-03:00

Shop Name: PhotograBee
photograbee.etsy.com

We would love to know a bit more about the woman behind PhotograBee (name, age, background, etc.):
I'm the 'Bee' in PhotograBee. :) I'm 33 years old and have lived in Western North Carolina almost all my life. I was an art major in college and worked for about six years as a graphic designer. I've enjoyed photography for as long as I can remember, but it was during a photography class in college that I realized how much I truly love it. I feel at home behind a camera lens. Some day I'd like to have my own darkroom -- I loved developing my own prints. Now I'm an assistant librarian, which helps me perpetuate another passion of mine: books!

Tell us a bit about your business and how you got started: I've been thinking about selling prints of my photographs on Etsy for about a year now. I've been an Etsy buyer (and big fan) for about two years, but felt nervous to take the plunge and become a seller. I'm still very new, but excited to share items I love with others.

Apart from photography, what are your other interests? I love books, music, being outdoors, cooking, sewing, camping, mountain biking, and being with people I love.

What inspires you? Everything! Seriously. I find inspiration in pretty much everything around me, from the tiniest intangible quality to more overtly obvious things. I'm drawn heavily to nature and people in my photography. I am happiest outdoors and few things are as thrilling to me as catching the perfect scene with my camera. People and faces utterly fascinate me and are probably my favorite subject -- again, I see beauty in all and I love bringing it out on film. So far I only photograph friends & family, so there's a very personal joy for me in capturing the expressions and faces that are beautiful to me.

Is there a certain piece of yours that is your favourite, or epitomizes everything you love about what you do? I have to say one of my own favorites is 'the road less traveled'. It epitomizes qualities I love: quiet, countryside, peace, and a touch of melancholy with an air of mystery. Capturing it made my day -- I can clearly recall this.

How do you promote your work? At this point, word of mouth.

What handmade possession do you most cherish? a quilt sewn by my great-grandmother

Name your top 5 books, movies, songs/musical groups, and websites:
Books: 'Jane Eyre', 'Persuasion', 'Pride & Prejudice', 'Anne of Green Gables', and 'Enchanted April'. (I could spend hours listing other favorites too, though)
Movies: 'A Room With a View', 'Pride and Prejudice' (A&E), 'North and South' (A&E), 'Moonstruck', 'Enchanted April'.
Musical Groups: Iron and Wine, Bruce Springsteen, M. Ward, Emmylou Harris, Joni Mitchell (again, I could go on). Websites: Etsy, Goodreads, Amazon, Flickr, Facebook.

Name 5 Etsy shops that are your personal favourites? This is so hard to narrow down! Besides La Paperie & Cozy, which is a clear favorite, five others among many that I love would be: Cottage In The Sun -- her wall art created from salvaged tin ceiling tiles are whimsical and lovely, plus a unique way to preserve those beautiful old tiles. The June Bride makes reclaimed wool brooches that always put a smile on my face -- they're my favorite mix of beauty plus reworking something that might otherwise go to waste. Heather Berry's gorgeous handmade jewelry is definitely my cup of tea. Brookish has some 'Pride and Prejudice'-inspired items that I just adore. Finally, The Daily Pincushion creates vibrant little pincushions that are almost too pretty to use.

What do you like about Etsy? I love the sense of community engendered by Etsy, and I've always been a big fan of supporting artisans and 'the little guy', so it's refreshing to have such an abundant forum in which to do so. The only negative thing is the effect Etsy has on my budget! How can I resist such great things?

Any special offers to buyers? Since I'm new to Etsy, I'm offering a 'buy one, get one free' special to my first five customers, as well as free shipping within the U.S

seeing red

2009-08-21T09:06:00.000-03:00

Thank you to Elle for featuring my red suede "Shakespeare in Love" journal on her lovely blog.

You can see it here.

A "Back to School" Market

2009-08-17T07:53:00.000-03:00

Come visit my table' at the Poppytalk Handmade "Back to School" Market (Aug. 17 - Sept. 18)

http://poppytalkhandmade.com/gallery83

Featured

2009-08-11T06:09:00.001-03:00

I've been featured at Simply Shiny. Thanks, Kristy!
Check out the feature at her lovely blog.

this little bookie when to the market

2009-07-02T13:31:00.000-03:00

I took about a dozen of my leather journals and notebooks to the local market this morning. A friend of mine, who makes jewelry has a little booth set up downtown and has offered me space there. She'll be there until October, so it will be a continuous thing. I'm really grateful for this chance to give my books a more local exposure, as the majority of my customers are from the USA and abroad.

Here's my little setup...

features

2009-06-29T06:02:00.000-03:00

Things have been busy here at La Paperie & Cozy bindery and that's just the way we like it!

I'm happy to post about a couple features of the shop:

The Bookbinding Esty Street Team (B.E.S.T.) features bookbinders of the team, by alphabet. Read all about the team's "L" members!

La Paperie & Cozy has also been featured at Presently Green. In a post about journals made with eco-friendly materials, my "I ♥ you" journal made with tree-less coffee paper is featured.

Front paged!

2009-05-13T18:16:00.000-03:00

This time it was my Periodic Table of Elements journal. :)
Geek-o'rific!

"green" journals

2009-05-01T17:09:00.000-03:00

As I mentioned in my last post, I've made these journals with treeless paper as part of my "going green" initiative. I plan to make many more!

Organic coffee papers are made from combining tree free agricultural bio-products coupled with 100% post consumer content to create a beautiful 24 lb. bond weight paper that is both beautiful with it's coloring AND a joy to write on! The journal measures approx. 5.5" x 4.25" and over 1" thick. It boasts 320-pages (both sides), and a rugged honey brown cowhide cover. The journal opens flat so you can write all the way into the margins. -SOLD-

Hemp Heritage paper is made in the USA by pulping Canadian-grown hemp fiber blended with post consumer waste. (Content: 25% hemp, 75% post consumer waste, 100% recycled. Color: Natural White with a subtle European laid finish making it a dream to write on!) -SOLD-

Any one of the journals in my shop (so long as they're 5.5"x4.25" or 9"x6") can be eco-ized. Simply let me know what style you like and I can make one for you with either coffee or hemp paper.

going green

2009-04-20T17:06:00.001-03:00

La Paperie & Cozy is going green. All the paper for my standard sized journals will now be made from an innovative line of socially and environmentally responsible papers: paper from mixed sources. High quality paper with a conscience!

* Environmentally-responsible
* 92 brightness
* FSC-certified
* SFI Fiber Sourcing Certified
* Elemental chlorine-free
* Rainforest Alliance endorsed
* Manufactured under alkaline (acid-free) conditions for increased longevity and performance

All this in a high quality paper...what's not to love!

Also I will soon be offering journals that are made with treeless paper - Hemp paper and Coffee paper. It's really lovely with such a nice texture. And just in time for earth day on April 22! :)

Another front page feature

2009-04-06T08:43:00.001-03:00

My Albert Einstein quote journal made it to the front page on 4/3/09!

they've been up for a while...

2009-04-02T08:29:00.000-03:00

...but I forgot to post links to my shop on Artfire.com and my Facebook group (for all you Facebook fans).

La Paperie & Cozy Facebook Group

La Paperie & Cozy Artfire Shop

See you there! :)

SALE!

2009-03-25T14:26:00.001-03:00

Sale prices already posted.
(Doesn't apply to custom orders.)

16 things I love

2009-03-03T14:47:00.000-04:00

I was tagged by Elzeline over at Paperfection to share my 16 favorite things, pictorially. So here they are!

What are your 16 things?

feature

2009-02-10T20:27:00.000-04:00

Beth, over at IndieNorth, has kindly featured La Paperie & Cozy on her lovely blog. Do yourself a favor and visit IndieNorth - a Canadian Indie Business Collective. It's a great site showcasing Canadian Indie Craftmanship. Thanks again, Beth! :)

finally an update...sorry folks!

2009-02-02T07:26:00.000-04:00

I thought I'd post a quick update as many have been asking where I've been, and it's true that this blog has been somewhat 'subdued' recently.

It's been difficult to focus on my work very much lately. Serious family health issues have been taking center stage lately. My dear Mom has been struggling with her cancer, and my dear Dad was recently admitted to the hospital in the city, for open heart surgery. It's still touch and go in many ways, but he is recouping. The family has rallied together as it always does. We'll make it through this.

Once things are back to 'semi-normal', and I've recharged a bit...I'm looking forward to getting back into my binding with a renewed vigor. I've got some new ideas that I haven't yet realized, and I'm itching to try them.

Stay tuned folks. :) Thanks for checking in with me!

Etsy frontpage 01-19-2009

2009-01-19T18:06:00.000-04:00

Yay! Again!
This time it was my Ralph Waldo Emerson journal. :)

Market at Poppytalk

2009-01-12T09:37:00.000-04:00

I'm participating in the Love Transforms Market over at Poppytalk Handmade, from Jan. 12 - Feb. 13.

Feel free to drop by and visit. :)

Another Frontpage Feature!

2009-01-09T19:16:00.000-04:00

This time, my scarlet sheepskin suede "Shakespeare in Love" journal.
Yay! :)

Etsy front page

2008-12-30T13:15:00.000-04:00

My Mark Twain sheepskin journal made the front page today.

in the news...

2008-12-16T14:24:00.003-04:00

Here is the article about my bookbinding home business which ran in the Dec. 16 edition of The Advance - novanewsnow.ca. I made sure I gave Trans Canada Etsy Team a plug. I tried to also get Bookbinding Esty Street Team in there, but they left it out as it was less 'local'. (click for larger readable view)

And here's the article as it appears on the online version of The Advance at novanewsnow.ca.

things to come

2008-12-05T20:40:00.000-04:00

I got a phone call from the paper this afternoon…apparently they want to do a story on me and my li’l business. Neato. They must be pretty hard pressed for copy. Heh! You can be sure that my family will buy up every edition, but I just may be able to salvage a copy for myself to get it scanned and posted here when it hits the stands. Who was it that said a little shameless self promotion is good for the bones? …no one? Oh well. They should have said it. ;)

I've Been Tagged

2008-12-04T14:49:00.000-04:00

I've been tagged by Right Out Loud, to share 7 random facts about myself:

1. I spent most of my childhood up in a tree with my nose in a book.
2. I’m *extremely* introverted (even though I fool most people that I meet).
3. I cringe at needles going into skin, and yet could watch a corpse being dissected without wincing.
4. I will rarely exit from a zoo or animal shelter with dry eyes.
5. I’m anal-retentive about almost everything.
6. I have always wanted to sing in a twee band.
7. I don’t like chocolate.

I won't bother tagging others so that whoever wants to, can take part. :)

Weee! Another front page feature

2008-11-26T10:50:00.000-04:00

etsy front page

2008-11-14T10:58:00.000-04:00

My turquoise spike journal made it to the front page!

work procedure & front page goodness

2008-10-22T07:20:00.001-03:00

The question "how do you work?" was recently posed within our Bookbinding Team. Everyone has their own way of working, and the trick is to find a method that best suits you. I make books one at a time, so I only have one book going at any given time. However, I prepare each part of the book aforetime in batches.

For example, I'll spend the better part of one day just sizing and cutting leather for various journals (enough to make, say, 10-15 books). The next day I'll spend my time ripping paper and getting text blocks prepared. Once that's all prepped, and I have all parts assembled, I will start to make the books one at a time.

I like working like this because I can then focus on a single task at hand; once I get "in the zone" of a particular task, I work much more effectively and rapidly, without having to change over to a different task. So it's been an order of production that's really worked well for me. I make anywhere from 2-6 books a day, depending on my schedule and how I feel.

As for how I organize my workspace I have an office where I cut all my leather and prepare my text block, however, I assemble all my books in the comfort of my livingroom. I will often watch TV or a favourite period drama as I make my books - it makes the binding process even more enjoyable.

In other news, one of my journals made Etsy's front page yesterday. Thanks for the heads up, Elzeline!

new books and a feature

2008-10-16T19:12:00.000-03:00

How is everyone? Autumn is upon us. We're back from our long autumn camping trip which we really enjoyed and now it's back to work again.'

First off I just found out my Jane Eyre handbound leather journal is being featured on BronteBlog in their merchandise section. How neat is that!

Things here are going well. I've been busy filling quite a few custom orders, but I had a little time today to work on some new books for my shop. Having fun with some new colour combinations and variations on closures. Here they be:

Featured at Poppytalk Handmade

2008-10-14T05:33:00.000-03:00

My shop is featured at Poppytalk Handmade from Oct. 13-Nov. 14.
Come visit me. :)

www.poppytalkhandmade.com/gallery63

Etsy Storque feature - Bookbinding Team

2008-09-27T15:38:00.000-03:00

Yay! The Bookbinding Esty Street Team (BEST), of which I'm honored to be a member, is currently being featured on an Etsy's Storque spotlight. BEST members are bookbinders on Etsy from all over the world. Take a look at the feature here:

Etsy front page

2008-09-18T15:56:00.000-03:00

My olive green journal made it on the front page of Etsy. Yay! :)

turquoise love

2008-09-17T14:07:00.000-03:00

I absolutely *love* turquoise, and so I just had to incorporate it into one of my journals...and the result? My favorite closure yet! The turquoise spike is stunning against the brown leather.

This would be a great book to take along with you on a trip to the library or some quiet place where you can sit, read, dream and write.

It measures approximately 5½" x 4¼" x 1½" thick, with a generous 320 pages (both sides) of blank white 28lb. quality writing paper, acid-free with handtorn edges. It opens completely flat so you can write/draw all the way into the margins.

The leather is a beautiful and rugged looking warm brown cowhide that has a distressed antique look. The hearty binding is handstitched with dark brown beeswaxed Irish linen thread. The book is kept securely closed with a lovely turquoise spike (securely sewn through holes in the spike), tucked into a leather loop on the cover flap — a sturdy, closure that is really eye-catching!

Now available at my shop: lapaperie.etsy.com

EDIT (09/19/2008): This journal has sold in a local sale, but stay tuned for later as I'll be adding more with a similar closure.

Interviewed

2008-09-10T10:32:00.000-03:00

I've been interviewed by Sarah, proprietor of The Beaded Lily Etsy shop, at her lovely and informative blog Sketchbook: http://thebeadedlily.blogspot.com Thanks Sarah! :)

In other news, the in-laws' 2-week visit with us from The Netherlands is over and now it's back to work again. Although I did a bit of binding while they were here, I really put a lot on the backburner. So now it's time to restock the shop, and work on some custom orders as well.

The Back To School Market on Poppytalk went really well. I enjoyed every second of it. I will definitely be interested in participating in future markets!

come visit my table...

2008-08-11T06:55:00.000-03:00

...at the Poppy Talk Back to School market. :)

Back to School Sale and new closures

2008-08-07T13:56:00.000-03:00

Members of the Bookbinding Etsy Street Team are holding a Back to School Sale from August 8-10. La Paperie & Cozy is joining in with a B.O.G.O Sale -- Buy One, Get One 20% Off! Now's the time to stock up on your books for the school year!!!

New closures? Oui ...some more. :)

Tuesday newsies

2008-07-29T07:04:00.000-03:00

I forgot to mention that I was interviewed a little while back, on the Bookbinding Etsy Street Team (BEST) blog. It was a while back, but if you wanted to take a peek, the interview is here.

I was asked by Jan at Poppytalk Handmade to apply for School Days! A Back-to-School Market, which will be running Aug. 11 - Sept. 5! Well I did and my application was accepted! It will be my first time on Poppytalk and I'm very excited about it.

snagged my first Etsy Treasury

2008-07-28T14:27:00.001-03:00

Woohoo! :) I've finally snagged my very first Treasury on Etsy. I've entitled it Ooh la la - a certain "je ne sais quois". Click for a larger view of these lovlies!

Featured!

2008-07-21T07:33:00.001-03:00

An interview with La Paperie & Cozy is now being featured at The IN Crowd. The INCrowd is Etsy.com's Indiana Street Team, and they feature shops in the US and in the world on a weekly or monthly basis. Thanks for the interview, Carolynn! :)

I need closure!

2008-07-17T16:16:00.000-03:00

So...here's another new closure I came up with today. :)
It's a pretty silvertone leaf-and-vine toggle clasp. I like it. I can't seem to stop trying new things lately. But change is good, right?

Alrighty. More wholesale orders and custom orders to fill ...gotta scoot!

“What would I do with a journal?”

2008-07-13T16:01:00.000-03:00

If I had a penny for every time I’ve heard this, when the topic of journaling comes up, I’d be a millionaire. I’m sure of it. (Coming in second is: “I don’t have the time.”) Why do people write in journals? Does it require an inflated ego? Hours of time? In my humble opinion, NAY!

One can take great joy in writing about the “everyday”…little things that can make life special. Even if you’re just recording day to day events, what you ate for lunch, what movie you saw, what book you read – looking back on it, can be a very enjoyable experience! And it only takes a few minutes a day. I’m particularly referring to tangible journals, bound books that you record your thoughts and life events in, but I guess one could also apply it to blogs as well.

I view it as mental/creative “exercising”. You make a bit of time for physical activity…so why not mental activity -- creativity? The power of creativity is monumental! Yet, creativity is by no means limited to artists. It is something that all of us can draw upon to refresh, invigorate ourselves and express our deepest thoughts. Not only that but creativity reinforces essential connections between brain cells, including those responsible for memory. In other words, it's what keeps us sharp!

So do you have a blank book lying around? Don’t know what to do with it? Well here are some ideas!

daily diary – Chronicle daily thoughts and events; they’re such fun to look back on. Things may seem boring and uninteresting now, but it’s neat to look back on what you’ve written in a few years time to see how much has changed (and how much as stayed the same). Keep it in your purse or bookbag to jot down things as the inspiration moves you.

photo journal – Paste in photos that inspire you and/or are important to you, and write about them.

book log – Write about the books you’re reading; discuss plot lines, characters. Praise the good reads and have fun throwing figurative tomatoes at the literary catastrophes!

recipe book – A place to keep treasured foodie goodness, for generations to come

friend journal – Have a far away sweetheart, friend or loved one? Why not add your notes to each other to a journal instead of on a piece of paper, and send it to your friend...have them fill out their pages, and send it back...and do so continuously until the book is completed. By the time you’re finished, you have a lovely bound collection of your correspondence with each other. (I wish I would have thought of this when hubby and I were dating, long distance!)

guestbook – A book where friends/family write their name along with some fun notes about their time visiting with you; or of course a wedding guestbook too!

sketchbook – Self explanatory, I should think. :) A lot of folks are into the “sketch a day” routine; a journal is a great place for that!

travel journal – Whether it be a short jaunt, day trip, or world excursion, write about it and include photos, ticket stubs, maps, etc....you’ll cherish the memories and experience for years to come!

fitness journal – Whether your training for the next marathon, charting weight loss and exercise, or keeping a food log, this is a great way to keep on track and chart your progress!

wine journal – What vintage? Was it a good year? Red, white, rose? Desert wine? What was it best paired with? Write it all down in your wine journal!

bird watcher journal – What sort of bird was that?

poetry book – A place to collect poems you enjoy, or write your own.

taking notes – Meetings, conventions, or kept in your case/purse to jot down just about anything

dream diary – To be kept on your nightstand as a place to track your ‘interesting’ dreams!

other ideas – film/movie log, pregnancy journal, small scrapbook, calligraphy book, ship’s log

"I'd like to thank..."

2008-07-09T18:28:00.000-03:00

Woohoo! I made the front page of Esty this afternoon! I think I did once before, but this time I actually saw it. :)

My blog has been honoured with an award:Astrid, the talented and creative blogger (Germany), kindly bestowed the premio arte y pico upon me. This premio was initiated by Eseya from Uruguay with the aim of honouring arts and creativity in the internet world. As always, these awards come with certain criteria:

1. Pick 5 blogs that you consider deserve this award through creativity, design, interesting material, and also contribute to the blogger community, no matter what language.
2. Each award should have the name of the author with a link to their blog.
3. Award winners should post the award with the name and link to the blog of the person who gave them the award.
4. Please include a link to the “Arte Y Pico” blog so that everyone will know where the award came from.

I pass the award on to these well deserving folks:

Lilli - Bookbabie
♥
Jennifer - Jeng Shop Blog
♥
Mel - Aria Images
♥
Kaija - paperiarre
♥
Jen Worden - Mixed Media Artist

the biiiiig book

2008-07-08T16:38:00.000-03:00

Here are photos of that enormous book I finished last week for a custom order. It's one of the biggest books I've ever made thus far!!! It turned out really nice, although my arms are quite tired! :)

It's hard to judge the size of this thing by the photos, but if you take a look at one of the pics below, you'll see a side-by-side comparison with a standard-sized journal that I normally make...it's literally dwarfed by this bubba book!

12" x 12" x 2" thick
400 pages 50 lb. drawing paper
heavy duty antiqued old-world leather

-sold-
lapaperie.etsy.com

almostjulyitis

2008-06-30T09:03:00.000-03:00

...I guess that's what I'm plagued with, because I'm in denial that it's almost July! Where exactly did June go? It went far too fast!

I've been really busy lately. Custom orders have literally been pouring in, which of course, is lovely. So things have been hopping, here at the bindery. I'm particularly interested in a custom journal measuring 12"x12"x2" which I'm commissioned to do. That's one BIIIIG bubba book! I'm really looking forward to seeing what the finished product will look like. I'll definitely post pics when it's done.

I've also been working on two new types of closures, and I'm really loving them! They're both very convenient as well. Both are now available at La Paperie & Cozy

Handbound leather journal with silver-plated metal button with black elastic closure

"The love of learning,
the sequestered nooks,
And all the sweet serenity of books."
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

****

Handbound leather journal with mother-of-pearl shell peg closure

Junesque

2008-06-17T08:39:00.000-03:00

Hard to believe we're over half way through June already. Stunning.
Here are some new books I completed lately.

an additional shop

2008-06-01T20:13:00.000-03:00

There has been a slight change to my shop at La Paperie & Cozy...as of this weekend, I no longer will be selling my art along with my journals. I've decided to create a new Etsy shop for my art, along with some of my photography (which will follow in the near future).

The shop's name is Salt Water Shed, as I live close to the gorgeous rugged Atlantic Coast and I am constantly being inspired by the beautiful nature that surrounds me.

I don't have much listed just yet, save for the prints that were already available on my La Paperie Cozy shop, but there is more to come. Feel free to take a jaunt over and take a peek. :)

what's brewin' at the geekery

2008-05-21T11:24:00.000-03:00

I think I've just made my most favorite journal ever!! It's been in the works for a while, but I just never had the chance to finish it.

I've always been fascinated by the periodic table of elements - it's truly a thing of beauty. So I decided to use it on this journal's intro page ...especially for fellow geeks.

This one will soon be available on my Etsy shop, but I will definitely be making one for moi!

{click for larger view}

More journal piccies here...

where it all happens

2008-05-15T18:31:00.000-03:00

I always enjoy looking at photos of people's desks and workshops. Here's a couple shots of my bookbinding studio.... studio *snicker* ...oh my, that sounds so pretentious. Because it's really just a little dingy corner in our study which is devoted to my bookbinding work. To be truthful, though, I do the actual binding whilst sitting on the sofa downstairs watching my favorite period drama. ;) So really this is only where I work with the paper, and cut the leather.

featured

2008-05-12T09:34:00.000-03:00

I'm now a permanent feature at Handmade Boutique on the web, under their Stationery and Paper Goods section. Very cool! They've got loads of great indie artists on there site, so get thee to their site and have a looksee!

A little journal made with a lot of love!

2008-05-04T18:34:00.000-03:00

I'm just lovin' making my mini journals lately. Whenever I see them it's hard not to go "aww." :) They're not "lilliput" journals persay (some are so small they're the size of thumbnails!), but 'mini' compared to what I usually make. They're a great way of using up all that leather that is too small to be used in a regular-sized journal and yet too big to throw away.

These little guys are only 3.25" x 3" x 1" ...the perfect size to slip into a pocket, purse or bookbag...or just about anywhere else! They're handy for when you need to jot down things in a jiffy. There are 160 blank white pages, handtorn, and stitched with natural waxed cotton thread, visible on the spine. The cover is leather, of course, with wrap around flap and tab closure to keep it securely closed. I can't wait to make a few more for my shop...these little things are rather addictive.

I affectionately refer to them as "li'l chubs". :)

the awesome factor is exponential

2008-04-28T13:32:00.000-03:00

So… the rebel now lives here. The camera arrived this morning! It’s pretty nifty to say the least. Now all I have to do is learn how to use all the pretty buttons.

The World Book Day sale went very well. Thanks for all your support! :)

Besides needing to stock up my shop, I just got another wholesale order from a store for more journals. Whew! It’s going to be a busy week!

World Book Day Sale!

2008-04-22T16:46:00.000-03:00

April 23 is World Book Day. In honor of this bookish event, La Paperie & Cozy will be having it's first ever sale for one day only.

For the day, everything in the shop will be 10% off.

Need a journal, sketchbook, artwork, etc. or other custom item? Tomorrow's the time to go shopping! :)

introducing 2 new items!

2008-04-22T07:45:00.000-03:00

Two new items in my shop today...

In desperate need of some little notebooks around the house, I indulged in some notebook cuteness yesterday. They were quick and fun to make and I just love the paper! Can't you tell brown/blue combination is a personal favorite? ;) Anyway, I made far more than I required, so I decided to list some on my etsy shop.

Each book is approximately 4.25" wide x 5.5" tall, and lovingly handcut, folded and stitched. The pages are handtorn to size for a nice rough edge.
♥ cover is beautiful patterned scrapbook card stock
♥ pamphlet binding visible on the spine
♥ stitched by hand with walnut-colored waxed linen thread
♥ 40 pages (counting both sides) per book of good quality creamy 24lb. acid-free writing paper

***

I also made a Food & Fitness Journal. I've been meaning to make one for myself for quite a while and finally go the chance the other week. I made two - I kept one for myself, which I've been using for the past couple week (it's great) and decided to make another one to list on the shop. I'm really happy with how it turned out and will probably make some more.

Approx. 5.5" x 4.25" x 1", it's the perfect size to slip into a purse or gym bag!

♥ will allow tracking for 200 days (200 pages counting both sides)
♥ each page has space for: the date, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, exercise and water (see photo details)
♥ 40 blank pages in the back to track your progress, keep track of measurements/weight, paste in articles or photos, write about your goals & achievements
♥ front page with name, date started/ended
♥ handbound with waxed linen bookbinding thread
♥ covered with a gorgeous strong and sturdy tan oilskin cowhide
♥ paper is handtorn and handstitched to the cover (non-refillable)
♥ heart tag is removable

R.I.P. li'l camera

2008-04-17T11:20:00.000-03:00

After binding five books yesterday (yes, five!), I was eager to get them photographed to list them on my shop. Well, things were going well until the second photo. Our camera died.

I saw it coming. Symptoms of its untimely demise included blurry images riddled with lines and poor lighting. There were shadows where there weren't supposed to be any. Not to mention horrible focus of any kind. And then there was the frequent "change battery pack" warnings even though there were fresh batteries used. So it is not unexpected; just inconvenient. I must say our handy li'l Canon Powershot A60 served us well, over the past 5 years we've had it. It's definitely seen a lot of action and has traveled the world with us. Now it's time to move on...but we're staying "in the family".

Our next camera will be the Canon EOS Rebel XT Digital SLR . But alas, they just don't sell them around these parts, so to the city we must go (2 hours away). Hopefully we can get away soon; perhaps this Sunday if things go well. In the meantime I may borrow my folks' Sony digital point-and-shoot to tide me over.

In any case, better photos are in the future... :D

UPDATE: Ordered it online! Should be here next week! Woohoo!!!

World Book Day

2008-04-14T07:27:00.000-03:00

Mark your calendars! April 23 is World Book Day, which coincides with the anniversaries of the deaths of Miguel de Cervantes and William Shakespeare.

The Bookbinding Esty Street Team (B.E.S.T.) will be hosting a team challenge where members will create books that are inspired by Cervantes and Shakespeare.

I finished my contribution to the challenge - it's a Shakespeare journal, inspired by his love Sonnet #116, my personal favourite. I will be listing it on my shop soon. The first page of the journal features a portrait of Shakespeare, captioned with an excerpt of his beloved Sonnet:

"Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests
And is never shaken;"

This would be a wonderful gift that any Shakespeare fan, bookworm, or aspiring writer would cherish. It, like all my journals, comes with a little "card of interest" containing information about the book (the history of the binding, the type of stitch and leather) - which makes a lovely addition as a gift.

5.5" x 4.25" x 1.5"
400 lined pages (both sides) with handtorn edges
gorgeous deep antiqued cherry cowhide cover

There will also be a 10% OFF - World Book Day Sale on all my Etsy shop items on April 23 --- one day only! So if you're in the mood to go shopping for journals and sketchbooks, that's a good day to keep in mind. :)

new books, three

2008-04-10T13:02:00.000-03:00

I tried my hand at coptic stitch for the first time ever. It was tricky getting used to it, but I enjoyed it. Here is the finished project...a little hardcover book, covered in natural linen bookcloth hand-painted with pussy willows. I finished the cover with antiqued copper decorative book edges.

5.25"x4.75"x1"
natural linen bookcloth
220 pages (both sides), unlined white
antiqued copper decorative book edges

***

And another new oilskin leather journal, trying out a new closure style. I think I'm going to like this one! Very handy!

gorgeous rugged brown oilskin leather
5.5" x 4.25" x 1.5"
400 pages (both sides) unlined white, handtorn edges - opens flat

***

And another mini book - this one even smaller than the first 'mini' one I did. This adorable little journal measures just 3.75"x3"x1", with 220 unlined pages -- the perfect size to slip into a purse or bookbag! I always have one in my car's glove compartment. The cover is a lovely worn looking nutmeg oilskin cowhide leather with wrap around and tab closure. The binding is stitched with natural waxed linen thread, visible on the spine.

It was difficult but...

2008-04-10T05:42:00.000-03:00

I've decided not to sell my soaps on my Etsy shop any longer. This is due to the fact that I wish my main presence on Etsy to be my bookbinding and art. I wish to free up more of my time to devote to my true love: bookbinding. :)

I only make my soaps in small batches anyway, and this is not fair to my online customers expecting various different soaps listed on a frequent basis. I just don't have the time to make soap often enough and in large batches to fulfill that broader client base's needs.

Therefore, I've decided that my handmade soaps will no longer be available on my Etsy shop. I am only selling them locally, and to former online customers who are familiar with the product. If you have ordered soap from me in the past and you wish to put in an order, please contact me. I would be happy to help you out. Thanks!

yesterday's news

2008-04-09T10:42:00.000-03:00

Matchbox #2
newspaper

Also, two new journals...both custom orders.

i give you my ♥

2008-04-08T10:55:00.000-03:00

the inscrutable heart...
cannot be hidden
but only
given away.

Matchbox #1
dark brown paper, kraft paper, blood red cowhide

* My apologies for the poor photo quality. My camera is on the fritz, and I need a new one desperately.

la vie en rose indeed

2008-04-06T19:42:00.000-03:00

My journals are now featured and for sale at La Vie en Rose Boutique - a lovely online boutique where 8% of all sales goes to charity. Support a great cause and get a lovely item in return! A win/win situation!

think outside the box

2008-04-05T15:37:00.000-03:00

Kaija, over at Paperiaarre, has come up with a smashing little creative idea...decorate a matchbox a day! Give it new life as something special. Whether it be the box itself, or what it contains.

I love this idea because there is no limit except for your imagination (and the size of the box of course). With this workaday world, it's often times difficult to fit something creative into your routine. This is a nice way to do it.

a sneak preview

2008-04-03T11:24:00.000-03:00

...of what's to come.
I've been busy filling custom orders. But I've also been working on a few new types of journals for my Etsy shop, soon to be unveiled:

- food/fitness journal: for those of us that like to keep track of intake and output!
- book journal (aka "book log"): for the book lover who loves to track what they read
- recipe journal: a special place for those special recipes
- travel journal
- a special book for World Book Day on April 23

Stay tuned. :)

la paperie & cozy handmade journals

new year, new lots of things...

Journal Give-away

Autumn is here!

►► IMPORTANT SHIPPING INFO ►►

new quote journals & features

update on the postal strike...

Postal Strikes! YIKES!

Busy bee

Martha Stewart Weddings

Fabulous Finds Give-Away - Win a Red Guestbook!

IMPORTANT NOTE TO MY CUSTOMERS

Hello 2011!

Thank you, Martha :)

new quote edition journals

My Friend's "100th Post Giveaway"

Autumn Challenge Winner! :)

Autumn Memories Challenge

blogged

new journals

Voila...

new quotes

Martha, Martha, Martha!

front page

Giveaway

I *heart* Craft Cult

"What greater gift than the love of a cat." -Charles Dickens.

Happy World Book Day!

And the winner is...

GIVEAWAY DRAW: Jane Austen Notecard Set

journals + quotes - how did it all begin?

getting your needles all in a row

more leather journals

Putting the "cozy" back into La Paperie & Cozy

Lightbox! Yay!

And the winner is...

Grand Re-opening Giveaway Draw - Win a Mini Journal!

Shop is closed for a brief respite

My journal won the Autumn Challenge!

Autumn Challenge

Ten random things about me...

hello, greeting cards

INTERVIEW: PhotograBee

seeing red

A "Back to School" Market

Featured

this little bookie when to the market

features

Front paged!

"green" journals

going green

Another front page feature

they've been up for a while...

SALE!

16 things I love

feature

finally an update...sorry folks!

Etsy frontpage 01-19-2009

Market at Poppytalk

Another Frontpage Feature!

Etsy front page

in the news...

things to come

I've Been Tagged

Weee! Another front page feature

etsy front page

work procedure & front page goodness

new books and a feature

Featured at Poppytalk Handmade

Etsy Storque feature - Bookbinding Team

Etsy front page

turquoise love

Interviewed

come visit my table...

Back to School Sale and new closures

Tuesday newsies

snagged my first Etsy Treasury

Featured!

I need closure!

“What would I do with a journal?”

I heart Craft Cult